Trediberri, Piedmont

Born only in 2012 the Trediberri cantina of La Morra pulls together three Piedmontesi (Nicola Oberto & his father Federico and their associate Vladimiro Rambaldi) who’ve invested in 5ha of Berri vineyards, a hamlet of La Morra, back in 2008.

Nicola is a recent graduate of Milan’s fine Bocconi University, former Merrill Lynch staff, a statistician and a passionate advocate and lover of fine wine. Father Federico has spent forty years working for a local, large Barolo producer, while Nebbiolo enthusiast Vladimiro runs a bank. There’s an important fourth person, Anna Rosa Oberto (mother/wife) who tends the vines fastidiously when not working at the local post office.

In addition to the 5ha, the Oberto family have 2ha of one of the Langhe’s top vineyards: Rocche dell’Annunziata; located in the very heart of the vineyard. Indeed their new winery in the Borgata of Torriglione overlooks the vineyard. Guided by Anna Rosa, they follow a low impact, organic approach to viticulture, while the wines are made traditionally with extended macerations & large oak ageing. Trediberri also rent c. 2ha of nearby Cappalotti vineyard.

Thanks to the likes of Trediberri and Roberto Voerzio, Rocche dell'Annunziata is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the Langhe's unofficial Grand Cru vineyards. Located in the sweet spot of La Morra, the vineyard is in a natural amphitheatre that has perfect aspect, altitude and soil composition of sand, clay and silt – similar indeed to that of Cannubi. Only a tiny quantity is made by the Oberto family – 1,080 bottles – which is traditionally fermented for 27 days and aged in smaller oak due to the quantity available. Backed by old vines, this is on another planet compared to their Barolo: emphatic with rosehip, rich with red cherry-stone sapidity, of mocha and tea, it's self-assured with a calm presence. One acknowledges the richer texture, the fuller weight, the (Grand Cru) kirsch quality to the loganberry-fruit. It's sumptuous and supple thanks to the small amount of oak; hedonistic yet cool.

Trediberri’s ‘tre’ are father and son, Federico and Nicola Oberto, along with their associate and friend Vladimiro Rambaldi. Their story began only in 2008 with the purchase of five hectares of vines in the hamlet of Berri, close to La Morra, which – together with close to two hectares of the mighty Rocche dell’Annunziata vineyard in front of their cantina – convinced Nicola to give up finance and turn to the trowel.

Drawn from their young Berri vineyard in the village of La Morra overlooking the Tanaro river, this traditional Barolo is vinified for 18 days on the skins before ageing in 25-hectolitre botti. It has an engagingly-bright, pale-red colour, a nose that sings (with a bit of air) of rosehip, bergamot and even of strawberry ripple. Their La Morra roots show through with the earthy red fruit, mixed spice, hints of orange peel, of tea-leaf and quinine. It's eager to please, openhearted and sincere; alive with charmingly-fleshy strawberry-fruit. This is on the lighter side due to the younger vines, but a joy to behold.

Trediberri’s ‘tre’ are father and son, Federico and Nicola Oberto, along with their associate and friend Vladimiro Rambaldi. Their story began only in 2008 with the purchase of five hectares of vines in the hamlet of Berri, close to La Morra, which – together with close to two hectares of the mighty Rocche dell’Annunziata vineyard in front of their cantina – convinced Nicola to give up finance and turn to the trowel.

More concentrated, brooding and tightly-bound. Though hinting at complexity, with taut phenolics and denser, dark fruit, it is distinctly less come hither than the straight Barolo and will reward those that give it time to unfurl. Drink from 2023+.Katherine Dart MW, Wine Buyer

A notable step up from the fresh and fruity Langhe Nebbiolo, Trediberri’s 2010 Barolo shows a more profound, brambly, black strap liquorice and even menthol character that owes its origin to fruit both from the Rocche dell’Annunziata and from the young Berri vines. There’s more balsam, more essential oil and clove characters here, more obvious succulence but while remaining elegant and pure. From yields of 42hl/ha, only 350 cases were made, bottled on 23rd Dec. 2013.David Berry Green

This producer is a newcomer and quite a find. With vineyards in the great Rocche dell’Annunziata and the hamlet of Berri, near La Morra, Nicola and Frederico Oberto make fantastic wine. This is their “basic” Barolo from Berri; fleet of foot on the nose with racy bright red fruit, this becomes pretty serious on the palate with spicy red fruit and ripe, gripping tannins kicking in. This is very well put together. The ethereal style belying its age-worthiness, this has a long life ahead of it.Chris Pollington - Private Account Manager

Bottled in June this year. Possessing the form and structure of classic Nebbiolo. The tannins and fruit are layered with cherry fruit, with foral notes and minerals lingering on the finish. Drink from 2017.Katherine Dart MW, Wine Buyer